Apparatus for treating wells

ABSTRACT

A method of and apparatus for treating wells to provide surface controlled subsurface safety systems in the wells, whether previously completed wells or newly completed wells. A method and apparatus is provided for installing receptacles in the well flow conductors below the surface for receiving surface controlled subsurface safety valves therein for controlling undesired flow from the well in the event of emergency, disaster or accident damaging the well surface flow controlling system or threatening the integrity thereof. Also, a method and apparatus is provided for installing a hanger for well flow conductors in the well casing below the surface for supporting the flow conductor or conductors in the well casing below the surface and then installing the receptacles in the well flow conductors below the surface for receiving surface controlled subsurface safety valves therein.

United StatesPatent [1 1 Sizer et al.

[ 1 Nov. 19, 1974 APPARATUS FOR TREATING WELLS [75] Inventors: Phillip S. Sizer, Dallas; Carter R.

Young, Lewisville, both of Tex.

[73] Assignee: Otis Engineering Corporation, Dallas, Tex.

[22] Filed: Dec. 22, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 210,727

: [52] US. Cl 166/72, 166/299, 166/55 [51] Int. Cl E21b 23/00 [58] Field of Search 166/277, 313, 297-299,

{56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,918,125 12/1959 Sweetman 166/297 3,208,531 9/1965 Tamplen.... 166/125 3,216,501 11/1965 Page 166/72 3,380,528 4/1968 Timmons 166/277 3,411,584 11/1968 Sizer et al. 166/72 3,696,868 10/1972 Taylor l 166/315 3,731,742 5/1973 Sizer et al. 166/315 Primary ExaminerDavid H. Brown [5 7] ABSTRACT A method of and apparatus for treating wells to provide surface controlled subsurface safety systems in the wells, whether previously completed wells or newly completed wells. A method and apparatus is provided for installing receptacles in the well flow conductors below the surface for receiving surface controlled subsurface safety valves therein for controlling undesired flow from the well in the event of emergency, disaster or, accident damaging the well surface flow controlling system or threatening the integrity thereof. Also, a method and apparatus is provided for installing a hanger for well flow conductors in the well casing below the surface for supporting the flow conductor or conductors in the well casing below the surface and then installing the receptacles in the well flow conductors below the surface for receiving surface controlled subsurface safety valves therein.

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ATTORNEY 1 APPARATUS FOR TREATING WELLS SUBJECT MATTER AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION This application is related to the coassigned copending application of Henry J. James and Carter R. Young, Ser. No. 270,977, filed July 12, 1972, for Method of and Apparatus for Treating and Completing Wells.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in methods of and apparatus for equipping wells with surface controlled subsurface safety valves, either before or after the well has been completed in the usual manner.

Heretofore, when a well has been completed it has been necessary to remove the tubing string or strings from within the well bore in the casing, first killing the well, unseating the packers, and then removing the string and packers and other fittings from the well prior to installing new strings of pipe, refitted or new packers, subsurface safety valve receptacles and control fluid lines for the valves, then reinstalling the tubing hanger and surface controls and flow lines, including an exit fitting for the control fluid pressure line at the surface before the well could be returned to production. This is an expensive and time consuming operation, and may result in damage to the producing formation of the well as a result of the loading fluid used and other operations performed in making the revised installation. Such operations are expensive due to the heavy equipment and the long period of time required for their performance. Also, the deleterious effects of the treating and loading fluids on the producing formation often result in a reduction in the productivity or flow of desirable fluids from the formation and a commensurate reduction in the value of the well.

It is, therefore, one object of the invention to provide a new and improved method of and system for installing surface controlled subsurface safety valves in the conductor or conductors of wells.

A particular object of the invention is to provide a method of and system for installing surface controlled subsurface safety valves in the flow conductor or conductors of wells which have been previously completed with the flow conductor or conductors in place therein.

An important object of the invention is to provide a method of and apparatus for disconnecting the upper portion of one or more flow conductors in a well from the remainder of such conductors therebelow and installing a receptacle and replacement upper flow conductor portion in flow communication with each of such flow conductors therebelow with a surface controlled subsurface safety valve in such replacement upper flow conductor portion for controlling fluid flow through each such flow conductor.

A further object of the invention is to provide a method and apparatus of the character set forth wherein the receptacle and replacement upper flow conductor portion are provided with means for detachably connecting the receptacle and replacement upper flow conductor portion for each flow conductor of the well to permit removal and replacement of the replacement upper flow conductor portion and the safety valve when desired.

Still another object is to provide a method and apparatus as set forth wherein the surface controlled subsurface safety valve is insertable and removable independently of the replacement upper flow conductor portion.

A further important object of the invention is to provide a method and apparatus of the character set forth wherein a supplementary surface controlled subsurface safety valve may be installed in the replacement upper flow conductor portion in the event of the original safety valve becoming inoperative or ineffective.

A further object of the invention is to provide in a method and apparatus of the character set forth means for directing a hanger into place over a flow conductor in place in the well and actuating the hanger into anchoring supporting engagement with the casing and the flow conductor either before or after the upper portion of the flow conductor above the hanger has been removed from connection with the flow conductor therebelow. I

A further particular object of the invention is to provide a method and apparatus for servicing wells to provide a subsurface hanger in the well engaging between the flow conductor andthe well casing and supporting the flow conductor therebelow against longitudinal downward movement in the casing, then installing a receptacle and replacement upper flow conductor portion above the hanger in flow communication with the upper end of the flow conductor remaining in place in the well casing for receiving a surface controlled subsurface safety valve in the receptacle for controlling fluid flow through the conductor and replacement upper flow conductor portion to the surface in the event of either an imminent or impeding disaster or under any other desired circumstances, and wherein the method and apparatus in installable in wells already previously completed without removing from the well flow conductors, or packer, or other well tools connected therewith already in place in the well below the point of connection of the hanger with the flow conductor.

A further object of the invention is to provide a method and apparatus of the character desribed which may be used with either single flow conductor well installations or in multiple flow conductor well installations for controlling fluid flow through the conductors to the surface.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a method and apparatus of the character described which is adapted for use in wells in which the well is serviced or treated by means of through the flow line pump-down operations, and in which the pump-down tools may be moved through the surface controlled subsurface safety valve and receptacle and hanger without affecting the customary operation of such pump-down tools.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a method and apparatus of the character described wherein the installation may be made without rotary manipulation of the flow conductor in place in the well, particularly that portion thereof left in place in the well; and wherein the surface controlled subsurface safety valve and replacement upper flow conductor portion may be removed and replaced without rotation thereof.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus and method of the character described wherein the replacement upper flow conductor portion or extension and the well equipment at the surface may 

1. Apparatus for treating a well having one or more flow conductors therein to install a surface controlled subsurface safety valve in each such flow conductor of the well for controlling flow from the well therethrough which includes: guide and support means insertable through each well flow conductor to engage the flow conductor at a point below which it is desired to part said conductor for removal of the upper portion of said conductor thereabove leaving the lower portion of the conductor in place in the well; means for parting the upper portion of each original flow conductor from the remainder thereof left in place in the well at the selected point in the flow conductor for removal of the upper portion of the flow conductor from the well while leaving the lower portion engaged with and supported by the guide support means; means including replacement flow conductor means for each separate flow conductor of the well having surface controlled safety valve means therein insertable into the well telescoped over the guide and support means into engagement with the upper end of the lower portion of the flow conductor left in place in the well and having connecting means for connecting said replacement flow conductor means with the upper end of the original flow conductor left in the well engaged with and supported by the guide and support means over which said replacement flow conductor means is telescoped, said guide and support means being removable from within the replacement flow conductor means after said replacement flow conductor means has been connected to the upper end of said original low conductor left in place in the well for removal of said guide and support means from the well; and control means at the surface connected to each of the subsurface safety valve means and operative in response to predetermined conditions senSed in the well or at the surface for actuating each of said safety valve means to cause the same to move to closed position upon the occurrence of such predetermined sensed conditions, whereby wells may be provided with surface controlled subsurface safety valve apparatus without disturbing the flow conductors below the point of parting and removing the upper portion thereof and without disturbing the remainder of the flow conductor and well apparatus left in place in the well therebelow.
 2. Apparatus of the character set forth in claim 1 wherein the control means at the surface comprises separate control means for controlling each of the subsurface safety valve means independently.
 3. Apparatus of the character set forth in claim 1 wherein the connecting means connecting each said replacement flow conductor means with the upper end of the each original flow conductor left in place in the well comprises: first connector means on one and second connector means on the other of said replacement flow conductor means and said original flow conductor left in place in the well releasably engageable to connect said replacement flow conductor means in sealed flow communication with the upper end of said original flow conductor left in place in the well whereby well fluids flowing upwardly through said original flow conductor left in place in the well will be directed through said replacement flow conductor means and the subsurface safety valve means therein to control the flow of such well fluids from the well.
 4. Apparatus of the character set forth in claim 3 wherein said first connector means comprises a receptacle and said second connector means comprises a latching mechanism means insertable in and removable from said receptacle in locked sealing position therein to permit insertion and removal of said replacement flow conductor means and the safety valve means in said well without disturbing said original flow conductor with which said replacement flow conductor means is connectable.
 5. Apparatus of the character set forth in claim 1 wherein the means for parting each of said original flow conductors comprises: mechanical cutter means having knives engageable with each said original flow conductor for severing the original flow conductor at said selected point below the surface of the earth while said guide and support means remains in place connected with the upper end of said lower portion of the original tubing left in place in the well to permit the severed upper portion to be removed from the well over the guide means.
 6. Apparatus of the character set forth in claim 1 wherein the means for parting each of said original flow conductors comprises: chemical cutter means for directing a chemical to a selected area of the wall of said original flow conductor to produce controlled localized cutting of said flow conductor at said selected point below the surface before said guide and support means is lowered into and connected with the upper end of said lower portion of the original tubing left in place in the well to permit the severed upper portion to be removed from the well over the guide means.
 7. Apparatus of the character set forth in claim 1 wherein said guide and support means includes: gripping means at the lower end of guide and support means releasably engageable with each original flow conductor at a desired subsurface level in the well below that at which the low conductor is to be parted before, during, and after said original flow conductor is parted at said selected level therein.
 8. Apparatus for treating a well having a flow conductor in place therein which includes: guide and support means insertable through each well flow conductor and having gripping means thereon to releasably engage the flow conductor at a point below which it is desired to part said conductor for removal of the upper portion of said conductor from the well leaving the lower portion of the conductor in place in the well; means for parting the flow conduCtor in the well at said point below the surface; means for removing the upper portion of the flow conductor parted from the remainder thereof; a replacement upper flow conductor insertable into the well telescoped over said guide and support means after the upper parted portion of the original conductor has been removed; means for connecting said replacement upper flow conductor at its lower end with the upper end of said lower portion of the original flow conductor left in place in the well; and flow controlling means in said replacement upper flow conductor for controlling flow from the well through the original flow conductor left in place in the well and the replacement upper flow conductor connected thereto in response to sensed predetermined conditions.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the flow controlling means includes: surface controlled subsurface safety valve means connected in said replacement upper flow conductor; and control means at the surface and connected to the subsurface safety valve means and operative in response to predetermined conditions sensed in the well or at the surface to actuate said safety valve means to move to closed position upon the occurrence of such predetermined sensed conditions.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said subsurface safety valve means includes: a landing receptacle forming a part of said replacement upper flow conductor and having a lock recess therein; and said safety valve has locking members thereon engageable with the lock recess in said landing receptacle when said safety valve is disposed therein said safety valve being insertable in and removable from said landing receptacle through said replacement upper flow conductor.
 11. Apparatus for installing a flow controlling safety system in a well having a flow conductor in place therein extending from a producing earth formation to the surface, including: means for parting said flow conductor at a desired point in the well and removing the upper portion of the flow conductor above the point of parting from the well and leaving the portion of the flow conductor below the point of parting in place in the well to form a lower flow conductor means disposed in said well with its lower end in flow communication with the producing earth formation; replacement upper flow conductor means disposable in said well and having surface controlled subsurface safety valve means therein; first connecting means on the lower end of said replacement upper flow conductor means; second connecting means on the upper end of said lower flow conductor means coengageable with said first connector means for releasably connecting the lower end of said upper flow conductor means in flow communication with the upper end of said lower flow conductor means; control means at the surface connected to said subsurface safety valve means and operative in response to predetermined conditions sensed in the well or at the surface for actuating said subsurface safety valve means to cause the same to move to closed position upon the occurrence of such predetermined sensed conditions; and means for releasing said first connecting means at the lower end of the upper flow conductor means from the second connecting means on the upper end of the lower flow conductor means whereby said upper flow conductor means and the subsurface safety valve means therein are removable from the well without disturbing said lower flow conductor means.
 12. A system for treating a well having one or more flow conductors therein to install a surface controlled subsurface safety valve in each such flow conductor of the well for controlling flow from the well therethrough which includes: support and guide means insertable in and removable from each of such flow conductors extending from the surface to a desired subsurface level to engage and support each of such flow conductors thereat while the upper portion of such conductors above such level is parted therefrom and removed from the well and to guide a repLacement flow conductor means into flow communicating engagement with a selected original flow conductor; means for parting the upper portion of each of the original flow conductors above such desired subsurface level from the remainder thereof left in place in the well for removal from the well while said support and guide means is in place engaged with the upper end of said lower portion of said well flow conductor; means including a replacement flow conductor means for each separate flow conductor of the well having surface controlled subsurface safety valve means therein insertable over said support and guide means into the well into engagement with the upper end of the lower portion of said flow conductor left in place in the well and having connecting means for connecting said replacement flow conductor means with the upper end of the original flow conductor left in place in the well while said original flow conductor is engaged by said support and guide means; and separate control means at the surface connected to each of the subsurface safety valve means and operative in response to predetermined conditions sensed in the well or at the surface for actuating each of said safety valve means to move to closed position upon the occurrence of such predetermined sensed conditions, whereby said well may be provided with surface controlled subsurface safety valve apparatus without disturbing the flow conductors below the point of parting and removing the upper portion thereof and without disturbing the remainder of such flow conductors and well apparatus left in place in the well therebelow.
 13. A system for treating a well having one or more flow conductors therein to install a surface controlled subsurface safety valve in at least one such flow conductor of the well for controlling flow from the well therethrough which includes: means for removing an upper portion of at least one of the original flow conductors including guide and support means insertable through the upper portion of said one or more of said original flow conductors to engage said original flow conductor at a point below that at which the conductor is to be separated to permit removal of the upper portion leaving the lower portion in place in the well, and means for parting said original flow conductor at said selected point to permit removal of the upper portion thereof from the well over the support and guide means engaged with the lower portion left in place in the well; means including replacement flow conductor means for said at least one flow conductor having surface controlled subsurface safety valve means therein insertable over said support and guide means into the well into engagement with the upper end of the lower portion of said flow conductor left in place in the well and having releasable connecting means for connecting said replacement flow conductor means with the upper end of the remainder of said at least one of the original flow conductors left in place in the well while said support and guide means is engaged with said remainder of said original flow conductor; and control means at the surface connected to each of the subsurface safety valve means and operative in response to predetermined conditions sensed in the well or at the surface for actuating each of said safety valve means to move to closed position upon the occurrence of such predetermined sensed conditions, whereby said well may be provided with surface controlled subsurface safety valve apparatus in at least one of said original flow conductors without disturbing said flow conductor below the point of parting and removing the upper portion thereof and without disturbing the remainder of the flow conductors and well apparatus left in place in the well.
 14. The system of claim 13 wherein the connecting means for connecting the replacement flow conductor to the upper end of the remainder of the original flow conductor left in place in the well includes: first locking and sealing means on one and second locking and sealinG means on the other of said replacement flow conductor means and the upper portion of said remainder of the original flow conductor left in place in the well coengageable to connect said replacement flow conductor means in sealed flow communication with said upper portion of said remainder of the original flow conductor whereby well fluids flowing upwardly through said remainder of said original flow conductor will be directed through said replacement flow conductor means and through the safety valve means connected therein to control the flow of such well fluids from the well.
 15. The system of claim 14 wherein said first locking and sealing means comprises receptacle means having a lock shoulder and a sealing surface therein; and said second locking and sealing means comprises: expansible and retractable lock members and seal means insertable in said receptacle means and engageable with said lock shoulder and seal surface; and means for disconnecting said lock members from said shoulder for separation of said first and second lock means from each other to permit removal of the replacement upper flow conductor from the well.
 16. Apparatus for treating a well having one or more flow conductors therein to install a surface controlled subsurface safety valve in each such flow conductor of the well for controlling flow from the well therethrough which includes: means for parting and removing the upper portion of each original flow conductor from the remainder thereof left in place in the well comprising guide and support means insertable through the flow conductor into place in the flow conductor and connected at its lower end to said flow conductor at a point below that at which the flow conductor is to be parted, and means for parting said flow conductor above such connection after said guide and support means has been positioned in said flow conductor, to separate the upper portion of the flow conductor from the lower portion of the original flow conductor to be left in place in the well, whereby the upper separated portion of the flow conductor may be removed from the well bore while the guide means is left in place in and supporting the upper end of the lower portion of the original flow conductor left in place in the well; means including replacement flow conductor means for each separate flow conductor of the well having surface controlled subsurface safety valve means therein insertable into the well telescoped over the guide and support means into engagement with the upper end of the lower portion of said flow conductor left in place in the well and having connecting means for connecting said replacement flow conductor means with the upper end of said original flow conductor left in place in the well connected with and supported by said guide and support means; said guide and support means being disconnectable from said lower portion of said original flow conductor and removable from the well after said replacement flow conductor means has been connected with the upper end of said lower portion of said original flow conductor; and control means at the surface connected to each of the subsurface safety valve means and operative in response to predetermined conditions sensed in the well or at the surface for actuating each of said safety valve means to cause the same to move to closed position upon the occurrence of such predetermined sensed conditions, whereby wells may be provided with surface controlled subsurface safety valve apparatus without disturbing the flow conductors below the point of parting and removing the upper portion thereof and without disturbing the remainder of the flow conductor and well apparatus left in place in the well therebelow. 